The Journey Ahead

I recently listened to a recorded talk by Alan Watts, titled “The Self Behind the Self,” which you can find for free on YouTube.

Alan Watts has been part of my life for over ten years now. I first discovered his work in college and have since come to admire him as one of the greatest modern philosophers. He has an extensive collection of talks on various topics, many of which are widely available online.

In this particular talk, he explores the concepts of wanting and living—broad ideas, to be sure. What I personally took away is that, in the end, you really don’t need to “do” anything you don’t want to do. This doesn’t mean skipping work, neglecting your family, or ignoring your responsibilities. Instead, it means recognizing that if you don’t enjoy doing something (even if it’s something you should do), it’s okay—but there is a solution: be genuine while doing it. Some might call this “doing things your way” or “not being afraid of rejection.” Ultimately, genuineness leads to happiness because it transforms even mundane tasks into something you can enjoy.

So how do we put this into practice? Take a moment to pause if you find yourself not enjoying what you’re doing. Ask yourself what would make the process more fun, more engaging, or more enjoyable. Often, this means letting go of the need for external approval and embracing your own creative approach.

For example, let’s say I’m stressing over a big speech I need to give at a major event. I might procrastinate writing or practicing until the last minute, partly because I worry it won’t be perfect or because I just don’t feel like doing it. The key is to start, even if it’s just brainstorming random ideas, and then check in to see if I’m enjoying the process. If I’m not, I step back and ask:

• How else can I approach this?
• Which direction feels exciting to me?
• Is it okay to do this in a way that genuinely suits my style?

Once I realize I can do things in a way that feels authentic, the process opens up. I might stumble upon a brilliant idea, feel “in the zone,” and the task quickly becomes more like a creative flow than a chore. Before long, I have a speech that I’m not only prepared to give, but actually excited to deliver.

So the next time you find yourself doing something you don’t enjoy, give yourself the freedom to do it your way—whatever that looks like. The goal is to find small ways to make the task feel more engaging, more fulfilling, and ultimately more fun.

“A world which increasingly consists of destinations without journeys between them, a world which values only "getting somewhere" as fast as possible, becomes a world without substance.”
― Alan W. Watts, The Way of Zen